



§«n 



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lipid and Psyilti 

A iff EQLOUCAL ' 

IN FIVE ACTS, 



WITH 



GrttJLSTJD TABLEATJ. 



ARRANGED FOR THE STAGE, FROM THE CELEBRATED 
FABLE OF APUELEIUS. 



BY S. HOWELL. 



INTENT ORLEANS : 



£^ 



O. C. HALEY, 

Tlieatriral Bookseller and Publisher 

19 Commercial F*lace. 



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HW9 FSXCITIM 



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MYTHOLOGICAL PLAY, 



IN FIVE ACTS, 



WITH 



GEAND TAJ3LEA.XT 



ARRANGED FOR THE STAGE, FROM THE CELEBRATED FABLE OF 
APUELEIUS. 



Printed at the Office of the Picayune, 66 Camp street. 
1873. 






^%tf. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in tho year 1873, by 

S. HOWELL, 
In the office of tho Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



T i Exchange. 
Howard Mem. i-ib, 
*TJe'06 



TMP92-009166 



TO THE READER. 



In the Dramatic arrangement of the beautiful and justly 
celebrated fable of CUPID AND PSYCHE, which is here given, 
the language of the author is used throughout, except for the 
abreviation of the narrative, and for a better effect upon the 
stage. 

The scenes described are to be found, with the illustrations, 
in various mythological works ; but many additions appropriate 
to the subject are introduced, to make the play a first-class pro- 
duction. 

The Phrygian Dance is the crowning feature of the play. 
Although an innovation, it is introduced to bring on the stage 
the young people of both sexes, as participants in a scene that 
will have its effect in banishing from the boards those extrava- 
gancies that for years past have been such a scandal upon the 
stage. 

The Grand Tableau in the Fifth Act is taken from the cele- 
brated painting of " The Marriage," by Raphael, in the Farne- 
sina, at Rome — the only change in the picture being an addition 
to the wardrobe of some of the principal characters. 

S. H. 
July, 1873. 



COSTUME. 



I have selected, as the most appropriate, the costume of the 
Greeks during the classic period. At that time the ladies 
adorned their heads with flowers, and the hair was tastefully 
dressed in clustered curls, fastened by costly pins; the patterns 
of dresses were much the same as those of the present day. 

For the Phrygian male dancers, tight sleeves, embroidered, 
ribbons, and a wreath adorning the head. The upper part of 
the leg bare, with boots laced in front, For the female dancers, 
the spangled tarletan patterns of dress would be appropriate, 
and the brow encircled with a wreath of roses would add much 
to the appearance. 

The custom of the Greek ladies in having one side of the dress 
open up to the knee or hips, must be observed throughout. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



ACT 1. — Venus rising from the Sea. 

Neptune and Ampiiitkite. 

The Temple of Apollo at Miletus. 
ACT 2.— A Gorgeous Palack. 
ACT 3. — Golden Chamber of Venus. 
ACT 4. — The Mouth of a Cavern. 

(On a black curtain painted in red.) 

Pluto (in the centre). 

Proserpine carried off by Pluto. 

The Furies. 

The Fates. 

Charon in his Boat. 

The Door of Hell. 
ACT 5.— Jupiter's Temple at Olympia. 
Grand Tableau. 

The Entrance of Psyche into Heaven. 



CHARACTERS REPRESENTED. 



Cupid, the God of Love. 
J upiter, King of the Gods. 
Mercuky, Messenger of Jupiter. 
The King, Father' of Psyche. 
Ate, Attendant on Proserpine. 
Oracle, at the Temple of Apollo. 
Dancers. 

Psyche, the Daughter of a King. 
Venus, the Goddess of Beauty and Love. 
Juno, the Queen of Heaven. 
Ceres, the Goddess of Agriculture. 
Proserpine, the Queen of Hell. 
Habit, the Servant of Venus. 
Euphrasie, ? , 7 «., . „ r, 7 
Helena \ the Sisters of Psyche. 

Attendants. 
Dancers. 



CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY. 



Neptune, the King of the Seas. 

Pluto, the King of Hell. 

Vulcan, the God of Blacksmiths. 

Mars, the God of War. 

Apollo, the God of Music. 

Hercules. 

Ganymede, the Cup Bearer of the Gods. 

Bacchus, the God of Wine. ' 

Palaemon, a Sea God. 

Salacia. 

Amphitrite, the Wife of Neptune. 

Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom. 

Diana, the Goddess of Hunting. 

Hebe, the Goddess of Youth. 

Daughters of Nerius. 

Nereids and Tritons. 

The Nine Muses. 

The Hours. 

The Graces. 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 



ACT I. 

SCENE 1. — The Open Sea in the rear. (A platform of proper she to 
represent the surface and beneath the sea is erected about the middle 
part of the stage. The sea is hid from view under the surface of 
the platform by a curtain. Music Venus, in a chariot drawn by 
two sea-horses, standing, with reins in hand, her hair loosely about 
her shoulders, rises slowly to the surface.) 

Venus (passionately). Behold, how the primal parent of all 
things — behold, how the first source of the elements — behold, 
how I, the genial Venus of the whole world, am treated! My 
sacred rites are abandoned — my temples suffered to decay — my 
cushions trampled under foot — my ceremonies neglected — my 
statues kept without chaplets, and my desolate altars defiled 
with cold ashes. The honor belonging to my majesty shared by 
a mortal girl ! My name, that is registered in heaven, profaned 
by the dross of earth ! I must be content, forsooth, with the 
uncertain homage of a vicarious worship, and with my share in 
expiations offered to me in common with another! And a 
mortal girl to go about in my likeness ! It is all for nought 
that the shepherd Paris, whose justice and good faith the 
mighty Jupiter approved, preferred me to such mighty god- 
desses, on account of my unparalleled beauty. But this 
creature, whoever she be, shall not so joyously usurp my 
honors ; for I will cause her to repent of her contraband 
good looks ! Come forth, my son. (Cupid, with his bow, and quirir 
full of arrmvs, comes running in). Thou art a malapert boy, who 
with evil manners set at nought all ordinary institutions, by 
running at night from one man's house to another, and blight- 
ing matrimonial happiness on all sides, committing such mis- 
chiefs with impunity, and doing nothing that is good ; but you 
are my son, and I forgive these irregularities. I will take you 
to the city that gave birth to this hated Psyche ; and I conjure 
you by the ties of maternal love — by the sweet wounds inflicted 
by your arrow — by the warmth, delightful as honey, of that 



8 • CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

torch, to afford your parent her revenge, aye, and a full one 
too; and as you respect myself, severely punish this rebellious 
beauty ; and this one thing, above all, use your endeavors to 
effect : let this maiden be seized with the most burning love for 
the lowest of mankind — one whom fortune has stripped of rank, 
patrimony, and even of personal safety — one so degraded that 
he cannot find his equal in wretchedness throughout the whole 
world ! I will then be revenged. (Sits.) I command the attend- 
ance of the powers of the deep. (A conch shell is sounded below 
the surface, when Nereids suddenly arise, one with a silken canopy 
protects Venus from the zun, one holds a mirror in front of her, one 
is ready with brush and comb ; the others are yoked to the chariot to be 
in attendance.) Be seated, my son. (Cupid gets behind Venus in the 
chariot, and commences shooting his arrows, with love mottoes on the 
shafts, among the audience.) Onward to the palace of Ocean us. 
(The curtain in front, of the platform is suddenly drawn aside, the 
scenes in the rear are moved to represent the figures as in motion. 
Beneath the surface is Neptune and Amphitrite his wife, seated in his 
chariot, drawn by two horses, holding his trident in hand. Palaemon 
in his chariot, drawn by dolphins, is in the rear. Salacia, with a 
lapful of fish, is in the front seat, and the two daughters of Nereus 
are on the back seat, singing in harmony with the music. Tritons and 
Nereids are moving about, following the procession. The chariots are 
arranged for the wheels to revolve, and to complete the spectacle the 
animals must appear in motion. On the last stage scene is a likeness 
of Ocecinus, when the procession stops, and the scene changes.) 

Scene 2. — The Temple of Apollo at Miletus, painted on the back 
scene; the side scenes to represent the woods. 

Enter King and Psyche. 

King. With all thy divine beauty, my beloved daughter, I 
fear the enmity of the gods has kept you from being happily 
wedded. Your elder sisters, whose more moderate charms have 
not been bruited about among the nations, have been wooed 
and won by kings, while you, my beloved Psyche, still remain 
a lonely virgin. 

Psyche. My royal father, I am sick at heart, and hate my own 
beauty, though it delighteth all the rest of the world. I can 
but remain at home and bewail my lonely condition. I am faint 
in body and sick of life. 

King. I will consult the very ancient oracle of the Milesian 
god, and ask of that mighty divinity, with prayer and victims, 
a husband for thee, my beloved daughter, whom no one cares to 
have. (Calls.) Apollo, come forth ! ( Apollo appears at the door 
of the temple, with his bow and arrows in hand.) Let the fate of 
my dearest daughter Psyche be known. (A curtain is drawn 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 9 

aside, when Apollo points to verses writtjn in front of the temple, 
ivhieh are repeated by the oracle within.) 

Oracle — " On the mountain summit laid, 

In her grave-clothes be the maid; 
Never shall thine eyes behold 
Son-in-law of mortal mould ; 
But a monster girt with wings, 
Fiercest of created things; 
Scattering names his hours employing, 
Heaven alike and earth annoying ; 
Him the dread decrees of fate 
Destine for thy daughter's mate." 

King. The sacred oracle is given, and its celestial mandate:; 
must be complied with. Oh, my daughter, my daughter ! what 
affliction is this? Till now I have led a happy life; the future 
is desolate to me. Many days will we pass in grief, and tears 
and lamentations ; but the dire oracle must be fulfilled. The 
procession will be formed for thy deadly nuptials ; the lighted 
torch will burn ashy black and sooty ; the straius of conjugal 
Juno^ pipes will be changed for the plaintive Lydian melody ; 
the joyful hymenial song will sink into a dismal wailing, and 
my dearest. Psyche will wipe away her tears with the nuptial 
veil itself. 1 will proclaim a public mourning for the solemn 
preliminaries of this direful marriage, when the xirocession of 
the living dead moves on. Let us depart, my daughter, and 
prepare for this sad procession, that takes you to misery, and 
perhaps to death. ( V/eeps.) 

Psyche. Why torment your unfortunate old age with con- 
tinual weeping ? Why waste your breath, which is more dear 
to me than to you, with repeated lamentations ? Why deform 
your features, to me so venerable, with unavailing tears ? Why 
lacerate my eyes in afflicting your own ? Why tear your hoary 
locks ? Why beat your bosom and those hallowed breasts ? 
Are these to be the glorious results to you of my surpassing 
beauty ? Too late do you perceive that you have been smitten 
by the deadly shaft of envy. Alas ! then should you have wept 
and lamented, then bewailed me as lost, when tribes and nations 
celebrated me with divine honors, and when with one consent, 
they styled me a new-born Venus. Now do I feel and see that 
through that name of Venus alone I perish. Lead me away, 
then, and expose me on the rock to which the oracle has devoted 
me. I am in haste to encounter these auspicious nuptials ; I am 
in haste to see this noble bridegroom of mine. Why should I 
delay? Why avoid his approach, who has been born for tlk> 
destruction of the whole world. Let us away. (Exuent.) 



10 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

ACT II. 

Scene 1. — The interior of a gorgeous Palace. A thick planted grove 
of trees in the rear, in the centre of which is a fountain planing ; 
aside is a high overhanging rock. Psyche walking about bewil- 
dered. 

Psyche, All around me is splendor and magnificence. How 
came I here ? Last night I slept on the surface of yonder hang- 
ing rock; abandoned, I lay trembling and weeping in dismay ; 
the wild breeze of the gently blowing Zephyr played round my 
garments ; in my slumbers methought a god wafted me with 
his tranquil breath adown the lofty mountain side, and laid me 
softly on the flowery turf in the lap of the valley. 

Attendant (within). Why, lady, are you astonished at such 
vast riches ? All are yours. Betake yourself, therefore, to yon- 
der couch, and refresh your wearied limbs, and when you think 
proper repair to the bath ; for Ave whose voices you now hear are 
your hand-maidens, and will carefully attend to all your com- 
mands ; and, when we have dressed you, a royal banquet will 
be placed before you without delay. 

Psyche. I am sensible of the goodness of divine Providence, 
and obedient to the admonitions of the un embodied voices to 
be relieved of fatigue by sleep, and then to the bath. (Observes 
a semicircular dais with a raised seat in the palace. Sits, when 
refreshments are sent up.) Not one human being can I see, but I 
hear voices intended for servants alone. Music approaches. (A 
harp is played outside, accompanied by voices, singing the following:) 

"Lull to rest this causeless fear ; 
Psyche ! thou art mistress here. 
Happy, beyond human measure, 
Slake thy thirsting soul in pleasure ; 
Slaves to thy majestic lover, 
Air-formed spirits around thee hover, 
Ever for thy bidding stay, 
Instant thy commands obey." 

Attendants (outside). Lady, when you have finished the repast, 
retire to your couch, when soft music will lull you to slumber. 
(Psyche leaves the table and retires to the couch; the refreshments 
disappear, and the stage is suddenly darkened.) 

Psyche. With all this splendor, how lonesome is the place. I 
am filled with terror ; but may the gods protect me. (Lies down, 
when the music begins, and soon lulls her to sleep. When the music 
ceases, Cupid enters by a side door and sits at the foot of the couch.) 
(Photograph.) 

Cupid. How much I may offend my mother Venus in claiming 
this divine creature as a wife, I know full well ; but she is mine, 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 11 

and will ever remain so. (Kisses her.) Sleep, hapless lair, in 
happy ignorance; sleep, pure spotless dove ; let thy ailed ion 
shim the puhlic eye. (Kisses her, then retires to the head of the 
eoueh, and is partly risible.) 

"Light of my soul ! far dearer than the day ! " 

Psyche (sleeping). " Me all the bliss of earth could ill repay 
For thy most sweet divine society." 

Attendants (without). Lady, awake from thy slumbers. (The 
stage is suddenly lighted, when Psyche awakes surprised} rubbing her 
eyes.) 

Psyche. Oh, what heavenly dream was this! My sweet, my 
husband, I can discern your presence with my ears and hands, 
(Touches him,) though not with mine eyes. 

Cupid. Most charming Psyche ! dear wife, cruel fortune now 
threatens you with deadly peril, which needs I think to he 
guarded against with the most vigilent attention ; for ere long 
your sisters, who are alarmed at the report of your death, in 
their endeavors to discover traces of you, will arrive at yonder 
rock. If then you should chance to hear their lamentations, 
make them no reply ; no, nor even so much as turn your eyes 
towards them. By doing otherwise, you will cause most griev- 
ous sorrow to me, and utter destruction to yourself. 

Psyche. If you desire it, I consent to act agreeably to your 
wish ; but to be conlined in a splendid prison, deprived of 
human conversation, and not even allowed to relieve the minds 
of my sisters who are sorrowing for me, nor even to see them, 
is hard indeed. 

Cupid. (Takes her hand.) Do not be disturbed with grief, my 
own true love, but act just as you please, and comply with the 
baneful dictates of your inclination. I yield to your entreaties, 
and give my permission for you to see your sisters, and present 
them with as much gold and as many jewels as you please ; but 
remember my serious admonitions; and I warn you, my dearest 
Psyche, not to be persuaded, by the pernicious advice of your 
sisters, to make enquiries concerning the form of your husband, 
lest by a sacrilegious curiosity you might he cast down from an 
exalted position of good fortune, and never again feel my em- 
brace. Again I say, beware how you act. (Disappears.) 

Psyche. I thank you, my kind husband, for your indulgence. 
I would surfer death a hundred times rather than he deprived 
of your delightful company; for I love you, yes, I doat upon 
you to desperation, whoever you are ; aye. even as I love my own 
soul, nor would I give you in exchange for Cupid himself. He 
is gone. (Kneels.) May the gods protect me in my loneliness, 
and let me soon embrace my dear sisters. 



12 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

(Euphrasie and Helena appear on the surface of the rock.) 
Euphrasie. Psyclie, dear Psyche, at length we have found you. 
Bless the gods, you are alive. 

Psyche (running out). Here I am whom you mourn. Dry up 
your tears ; we will soon emhrace. Haste, Zephyr, on thy gent- 
lest hreeze, and hear my sisters to their Psyclie. (Goes to the side 
and ivaves her hand.) This will he a day of joy. (The sisters enter 
and affectionately embrace Psyche.) Now come, enter my dwelling 
in gladness^ancl cheer up your afflicted spirits with your Psyche. 

Attendants (without). Lady, we are ready to ohey your com- 
mands. 

Psyche. You hear my attendants ; they are numerous ; all I 
desire is at my command ; see the vast treasures of this golden 
palace. My husband has instructed me to provide you with all 
the gold and jewels you may want. Take this necklace — how 
well it becomes you, my sister Euphrasie ; and you, my dear 
sister Helena, wear this bracelet for my sake. 

Helena. And pray, my dear Psyche, who is the master of this 
celestial wealth ; Avhat kind of person and what sort of a 
husband is the one chosen for you ? 

Psyche. My husband is young, very good looking, with cheeks 
as yet only shaded Avith soft down ; he is for the most part 
engaged in rural occupations, and hunting on the mountains. 
Pass on to the next room ; I will soon bo with you. (The sisters 
(jo out, when Cupid appears, partly visible.) 

Cupid. Stay, Psyche ; let me once more admonish you. Are 
you aware what a mighty peril fortune is preparing to launch 
against you — one, too, unless you take strenuous precautions 
against it, will, ere long, confront you hand to hand ? These 
perfidious she-wolves are planning base stratagems against you 
with all their might, to the end that they may prevail upon you 
to view my features, which, as I have told you, if you once see, 
you will see no more. Be careful not to listen to or answer any 
inquiries about your husband. A child will be born to us, 
which, if you preserve my secret in silence, will be born divine ; 
but, if you profane, it will be mortal. Therefore, I say, be 
cautious how you act ; your own blood is in arms against you. 
Take pity on yourself, and on me. (Disappears.) 

(Enter Euphrasie and Helena.) 
Euphrasie. Sister, what a vast number of necklaces there are 
in this house, and the splendid silk dresses are fabulous. What 
brilliant gems and what heaps of gold you tread upon in every 
direction. Besides, you possess a husband so handsome that 
there lives not in the world a happier Avoman than you. 

Psyche. My darling Euphrasie, how much cause of happiness 
have I. My husband is a native of the adjoining province, is a 



CUPID AND PSYCHE, 13 

merchant With abundance of money, a man of middle age, with 
a few gray hairs sprinkled here and there on his head. 

Helena (aside to Euphrasie). The huzzy! she tells a different 
story of her husband. He was first a youth, and is now a 
middle-aged man. Let us carry out our plans. 

Ewph/ra&ie. Happy indeed are you, my dear Psyche, and fortu- 
nate in your very ignorance of such magnitude. Then you are 
■without a -thought upon your danger; while we, who watch 
over your interests with the most vigilant care, are in anguish 
at your lost condition : for we have learned for a truth, nor can 
we, as being sharers in your sorrows and misfortunes, conceal 
it from you, that it is an enormous serpent gliding along iu 
many folds and coils, with a neck swollen with" deadly venom, 
and prodigious gaping jaws, that secretly sleeps by you at 
night. Do, for a moment, recall to mind the Pythian Oracle, 
which declared that you were destined to become the 
wife of a fierce and truculent animal. Besides, many of the 
husbandmen, who are in the habit of hunting all round the 
country, and ever so many of the neighbors, have observed him 
returning from his feeding place in the evening, and swimming 
across the shoals of the neighboring streams. All declare, too, 
thai, he will not long continue to pamper you with delicacies, 
but when you arrive at a certain state, lie will devour you as 
being a most exquisite morsel. It is now for you to consider 
whether you shall think fit to listen to us, who are so anxious 
for your precious safety, and avoiding death, live with us secure 
from danger, or be buried in the entrails of a most savage 
monster. 

Psyche (excited). Dearest sisters, yon have acted towards me 
as you ought, and with your usual affectionate care ; and indeed 
it appears to me that those who gave you this information have 
not invented a falsehood. For in fact, I have never yet, beheld 
my husband's face, nor do I know at all whence he comes. I 
only hear him speak in an undertone by night, and have to bear 
with a husband of an unknown appearance, and one that has 
an utter aversion to the light of day. I consequently have full 
reason to be of your opinion, that he may be some monster or 
other. Besides, he is always terrifying me from attempting to 
behold him, and threatens some shocking misfortune as the con- 
sequence of indulging any curiosity to view his features. Now, 
therefore, if you are able to give any saving aid to your sister 
in this perilous emergency, clefer it not for a moment. 

Helena. Since the ties of blood oblige us to have no fear of 
peril before our eyes, when your safety is to be ensured, we will 
discover to you the only method which will lead to your preser- 
vation ; it will be effectual. Conceal in your bed a dagger; see 
that it is whetted to a keen edge ; and hide likewise under some 
Covering of the surrounding tapestry) a lamp, well trimmed and 



14 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

full of oil, and shining with a bright light. Make these prepa- 
rations with the utmost secresy, and after the monster has 
glided into the bed as usual, when he is now stretched out at 
length, fast asleep and breathing heavily, then go softly along 
with bare feet and on tiptoe, free the lamp from its place of con- 
cealment in the dark, and borrow the aid of its light to execute 
your noble purpose; then at once boldly raising your right 
hand, bring down the keen weapon with all your might, and 
cut off the head of the noxious serpent at the nape of the neck. 
We will keep anxious watch over you to see that you are in 
safety, and wed you to your wish. The shades of night have 
overtaken us, and Psyche, dear sister, summon Zephyr to our 
aid, to waft us to our peaceful homes. Our loving hearts will 
be ever with you. (Psyche (joes to the side, motions with her hand. 
The sisters embrace her, and exuent.) 

Psyche. They are gone, and my purpose to destroy the vile 
beast is fixed. As a husband, I love him ; as a beast, I hate him. 
What if I should be deceived, and my blow miss its mark, who 
is here to protect me ? Away with this fear, and let the work 
of death begin ; let this dagger tell the tale when darkness 
approaches. Oh ! unhappy fate, to be linked in life with a 
demon ; but, ye gods, aid mo to crush out his vile existence. Let 
me prepare and know no fear. (Puts a lighted lamp behind the 
curtain; the stage is suddenly darkened; she retires to her couch,) 
The monster will soon be in ; I will feign sleep, to sooner carry 
out my purpose. (Lies down, when Cupid enters and stands in front 
of the couch.) 

Cupid. Site sleeps. (Kisses her.) I will not disturb thee, 
dearest Psyche. Peace to thy gentle spirit ; thou, who kuowest 
no evil, may the gods protect thee in thy slumbers. My eye-lids 
are heavy, and sleep will not long be denied me. (Lies down on 
a couch, wlten music soon lulls him to sleep.) 

Psyche. The monster has glided into his bed, and is stretched 
out at length, fast asleep, and breathing heavily. This dagger 
has been well whetted, and the lamp trimmed for the purpose. 
I feel a masculine courage in doing this deed ; away, then, with 
all fear, and let me to the task. (Goes with the lamp in the left 
hand, and the dagger in the right, ready to strike. She raises it, starts 
back, puts the lamp hastily down, and places the dagger in her breast.) 
(Pxcited.) Oh! ye gods! what is this I see ? Cupid, the god of 
love, and sweetest of all creatures, is my husband. (Kneels.) Let 
me thank thee, gods, for thy kind favors. (Pises.) This, then, is 
the monster my sisters would have me believe is my husband. 
May all living monsters be of his kind. (Kisses him.) Joy, 
happiness, love, and the full pleasures of life are now my lot. 
Look at the genial locks of his golden head, beaming with 
ambrosial perfume; the orbed curls that fall over his milk- 
white neck ! One more look, and then to my couch, but not to 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 15 

Bleep! (Takes the lamp again to the couch.) On his shoulders fire 
dewy wings of brilliant whiteness ; the pinions arc at rest, yet 
the tender down that fringes the feathers wantons to and fro 
in unceasing play. At the foot of the bed lays the bow and 
quiver ; let me touch the point of an arrow ; how sharp it is ; 
some tiny drops of blood come forth. This is love with love. 
{Lays down the lamp.) One more kiss before I go, for fear lie 
should awake. (Kisses him.) I am fastened to this spot ; no 
power on earth, nor can the gods take me from it. Let me again 
view the heavenly features of my husband. (Takes up the lamp, 
holds it to the face of Cupid, and spills a drop of burning oil on his 
shoulders; he starts up suddenly, when Psyche shrieks and lets fall 
the lamp ; the dagger falls from her dress, and she stands bewildered.) 

Cupid (sorrowful). Oh simple, simple Psycho ! for you I have 
been unmindful of the commands of my mother Venus; for 
when she bade me cause you to be infatuated with passions for 
some base and abject man, I chose rather to fly to you myself 
as a lover. That in this I act inconsiderately, I know but too 
well. I, that redoubtable archer, have wounded myself with 
my own arrow, and have made you my wife, that I forsooth 
might be thought by you to be a serpent, that you might cut 
off my head, which bears those very eyes that have so doated 
upon you. This was the danger that I told you again and again ; 
against this was what I so vehemently forwarued you of. But 
as for those choice counsellors of yours, they shall speedily feel 
my vengeance, for giving you such pernicious advice; but you 
I will only punish by my flight. (Attempts to vanish; she clings 
to him ; he breaks from her and goes out; she attempts to follow him, 
when a, large serpent on a tree unwinds himself and hisses at her; 
Psyche shrieks and falls on the stage. The curtain falls.) 



ACT III. 

Scene 1. — The Golden Chamber of Venus. Venus discovered reclining 
on her couch, her hair Ji owing about her shoulders, and a gold band 
encircling her forehead. 

(Enter Juno, with her Peacock.) 

Juno. Most glorious mistress, your son is confined to his bed 
by a severe burn : is in great pain, and his cure is doubtful. All 
sorts of scandalous reports are flying about concerning the 
whole family of Venus. It is in every body's mouth that the 
mother and son had gone off — the one to a mountain, to carry 
on an intrigue with a girl; the other to amuse herself with 
swimming in the sea. 



16 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

Venus* So, then, this hopeful son of mine has got some mis- 
tress or other. Come, now, you who are the only one to serve 
me with true affection, what is the name of her who has thus 
decoyed the ingenious and beardless boy ? Is she one of the 
tribe of Nymphs, or of the number of Hours, or of the choir of 
Muses, or belonging to my own train of Graces ? 

Juno. I am not sure, mistress. I think, though, if I remember 
right, he is said to have fallen desperately in love with a girl 
whose name is Psyche. 

Venus (starting up, greatly excited). What! of all wenches in 
the world, is he in love Avith Psyche, the usurper of my beauty 
and the rival of my fame ? And by way of additional insult, he 
takes me for a go-between, through whose instrumentality he 
made acquaintance with the girl. Summon the vile boy to my 
presence. (A conch is sounded, when Cupid enters ; Juno goes out.) 
This is pretty conduct indeed ! and very becoming our dignified 
birth, and your sobriety of character ! In the first place, to 
trample under foot the commands of your mother, your sove- 
reign mistress, and refrain from tormenting my enemy with an 
ignoble love ; and then, at your age — a mere boy — to take her 
to your profligate and immature embraces, on purpose, I sup- 
pose, that I might endure the vexation of having my enemy for 
my daughter-in-law. But doubtless you suppose, you scamp, 
you seducer, you unlovable boy, that you are my only high-born 
son, and that I am too old to have another. I would have you 
know then that I will have another son, a much better one than 
you ; nay, what's more, that you may be fully sensible of the dis- 
grace, I will adopt one of the sons of my slaves, and to him will 
1 give those wings, and that torch, that bow, and those arrows, 
and all that equipment which I bestowed on you, for purposes 
very different from these ; for no part whatever of this appa- 
ratus was supplied at your father's expense. You have been 
badly inclined from your childhood ; many a time have you 
struck your elders, and even myself, your mother ; myself, I 
say, you parracide, you are every day exposing before the world. 
Many a time you have struck me, and you pay no more atten- 
tion to me than if I were a widow. You do not even fear your 
step-father, that most , brave and mighty warrior ; quite the 
contrary, indeed, for you are evermore setting him after 
wenches, to my torment. But I will make you repent of these 
tricks of yours, and that you shall find the match a sour and 
bitter one. (Ceres and Juno enter.) Most opportunely are you 
come to appease that violence which has taken possession of my 
raging bosom. Enquire for me, I beg, with the utmost care and 
diligence, after that runaway vagabond Psyche ; for the infa- 
mous stories about my family, and the conduct of my son, who 
does not deserve to be named, cannot be unknown to you. 

Ceres. What mighty offence, good mistress, has your son com- 



CUriD AND PSYCHE. 17 

mil ted, that yon should thwart his pleasures with such stubborn 
resolution, and be impatient to destroy her with whom he is in 
love ? Is it a crime if he has freely indulged his liking for a 
pretty girl? Are you ignorant of his sex and his youth .' 
Surely you have forgotten how many years old he is ; or is it 
because he carries his years so prettily, that you would for ever 
fancy him a boy f Is it possible that you, who are his mother, 
and a woman of understanding, can persist in prying inquisi- 
tively into the gaieties of your handsome son, finding fault 
with his indiscretions, taking him to task for his amours, and 
reproviug in him your own acts and voluptuous suggestions '. 
But what god, or what man, will bear with you, when you are 
every where scattering amorous desires among people, and at 
the same time would restrain the gallantries of your own house, 
and shut up the universal magazine of female frailties ? 

Vends. Let our conversation cease ; you are disposed to treat 
with ridicule the injuries I have received. (To Cupid.) Begone 
from my sight, thou vilest of wretches. (Exit Cupid.) Let me 
now prepare for my revenge. Summon Mercury to me. (A 
conch is sounded, when Mercury enters.) Take this book ; go at 
once to Jupiter, and bid him issue his proclamation for tho 
return of my female slave to me forthwith. She is well descri- 
bed iu the book, and let no one seek to shelter her, on pain of 
my displeasure. She is the fugitive daughter of a king ; my 
handmaid, and by name Psyche. Begone ; and see that my com- 
mands are speedily executed. (Exit Mercury ) Where are now 
those servants of mine, Habit, Anxiety and Sorrow. Let them 
be in attendance. (A conch is sounded, when Habit enters, dragging 
in 1'syche.) 

Habit, Mistress, I have brought you the good-for-nothing 
wench, found lurking near the palace gate. She has given us 
abundant trouble in finding her, and may she receive without 
delay the penalty of her obstinate contumacy. 

Venus (sarcastically). At length you have deigned to pay your 
respects to your mother-in-law, or rather are you come to see 
your sick husband, who is yet dangerously ill from the wound 
you gave him? But make yourself easy ; for I will at once 
give you such a reception as a good mother-in-law ought to 
give. Summon my servants. (A conch is sounded, when Anxiety 
and Sorrow enter.) When I have finished with this vile servant 
of mine, you will take her out to be well scourged and tor- 
mented. (Anxiety and Sorrow bow, and retire.) Just look at her ! 
(Laughing boisterously.) Her interesting state quite moves my 
compassion. Fortunate indeed am I, who in the very tlower of 
my age am to bo called a grandmother ! And the son of a vile 
handmaid is to hear himself called the. grandson of Venus! 
And yet I talk nonsense in calling him my grandson ; for ill- 
assorted marriages, contracted, too, in ? pot** ' 7 -vitlwuit 



18 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

any witnesses and without the father's consent, cannot possibly 
he deemed legitimate ; consequently this child will be a bastard, 
even if I do suffer you to bring it to the light at all. (Going up 
to Iter in a defiant manner.) You seem to me, such an ugly slave 
as you now are, to be likely to gain lovers in .no other way 
than by diligent drudgery. I Avill therefore, myself, for once 
make trial of your industrious habits. (Takes several papers of 
seeds (Hid mixes them in a basin.) Take and 'separate this promis- 
cuous mass of seeds, and having properly placed each grain in 
its place, and so sorted the whole, give me a proof of your 
expedition by finishing the task before evening. Do you see 
yonder grove stretching along the margin of a river, whose deep 
eddies receive the waters of a neighboring fountain ? There 
shining sheep, of a golden color, wander about feeding, without 
a shepherd. I desire that you bring me immediately a flake of 
that precious wool, get it how you may. Do you see the summit 
of yonder lofty mountain? From that peak fall the dusky 
waters of a black fountain, which, after being confined in the 
neighboring valley, irrigate the Stydian marshes, and supply 
the hoarse streams of Cocytus 1 After you have brought me the 
wool, take me this urn of polished crystal, and bring me ice-cold 
water drawn from the midst of the lofty fountain. After you 
have- finished this last duty, there is one more task, my dear, 
(sneeringlg) which you must perform. Take this box, and direct 
your course to the infernal regions and the deadly palace of 
Pluto. Then, presenting the box to Proserpine, say Venus re- 
quests you to send her a small portion of your beauty, at least 
as much as may be sufficient for one short day ; for she has 
consumed all the beauty she possessed through the attention 
Avhich she pays to her sick son. Now begone, and return with 
the utmost expedition ; for I must adorn myself with, this 
beauty of Proserpine, before I go to the theatre of the gods. 
Juno, have ready my chariot, which Vulcan constructed with 
exquisite skill, and presented to me on the celebration of my 
marriage. It is of burnished gold, and more precious to me 
than life. Let us be gone, and drink the nectar of Jupiter, and 
let love ever be in the ascendant. (Exuent Venus, Juno and Ceres.) 

Psyche (Kneeling). They are gone ! Ye gods, protect me ! I 
have arrived at the extremity of my evil fortune. To throw 
myself headlong from the tower in the distance would place 
me in the infernal regions ; but to earth I never could return* 
(Bising.) No ; I will carry out the wishes of this tyrant Venus, 
defeat her mad schmes for revenge, and long be the Wife of 
Cupid, the god of love. (Exit.) 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 10 

ACT IV. 

Scexe 1. — The Suburbs of the City of Tenants. A Cavern in front, 
with an obscure opening. 

(Enter Mercury, with his magic wand, leading in Psyche.) 

Mercury. Psyche, you will pass through this cavity, which is 
Plato's "breathing hole, and an untravelled road presents itself 
to the view through the yawning gap. As soon as you have 
passed the threshold of this cavity, you will proceed in a direct 
path to the palace of Pluto. You ought not, however, to pass 
through these shades with empty hands, hut should take a sop 
of barley hread, soaked in hydromel, in each hand, and in your 
mouth two pieces of money. And when you have accomplished 
a good part of your deadly journey, you will meet a lame ass 
laden with wood, with a driver as lame as himself, who will ask 
you to reach him certain cords, to fasten the burden, which has 
fallen from the ass ; but he careful that you pass by him in 
silence. Then, without any delay, proceed till you arrive at 
the dead river, where Charon, immediately demanding his fee, 
ferries the passengers over in his patched boat to the farthest 
shore. Avarice lives among the dead; nor does Charon himself 
nor the father Pluto, though so great a god, do any thing gra- 
tuitously. To the squalid old man you will see, give one of the 
pieces of money which you carry with you, yet in such a man- 
ner that he may take it with his own hand from your month. 
While you are passing over the sluggish river, a certain dead 
old man, floating on its surface and raising his putrid hand, will 
entreat you to take him into the boat. Beware, however, of 
yielding to any impulse of unlawful pity. Having passed over 
the river and proceeded to a little distance beyond it, you will 
see certain old women, weaving a web, who will request you to 
lend them a helping hand ; but it is not lawful for you to touch 
the web. For all these and many other particulars are snares 
prepared for you by Venus, that you may drop one of the sops 
out of your hand. But do not suppose that this would be a 
trilling loss, since the want of only one of the sops would pre- 
vent your return to light ; for a huge dog, with three large 
fierce and formidable necks and heads, barking, with his tlrnn. 
dering jaw terrifies in vain the dead whom he cannot injure, 
and always watching before the threshold and black palace of 
Proserpine, guards the void Plutonian mansions. Having 
appeased this dog with one of your sops, you may easily pass 
by him, and then you will immediately enter the presence of 
Proserpine herself, who will receive you in a very courteous and 
benignant manner, desire you to repose on a soft scat, and per- 
suade you to partake of a sumptuous banquet. But seat your- 
self on the ground, ask for a piece of common bread, and eat it ; 
then deliver your message, and having received what you came 



20 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

for, bribe tlie cruel dog with the remaining sop. When yon 
have done as directed, return by the way you came to the choir 
of the celestial stars. But, above all things, let not curiosity 
prompt you to examine the contents of the box containing the 
divine beauty. Psyche, depart, and may the gods protect you. 
(Psyche passes through the mouth of the cave, and Mercury goes out at 
the side.) 

Scene 2. — The Palace of Pluto. Proserpine on the throne; at her 
side is Pluto, her husband (both dressed in red) ; in her right hand 
she holds a two-forked trident, in her left the sacrificial cup ; two 
serpents are enkvined around her diadem ; at her feet is a vase of 
nardsseans and a basket of pome-granites. Ate, her messenger, is in 
attendance. Cerberus, the dog, is to the left of the throne, at the 
entrance of the palace. In the rear, to the right, is an overhanging 
rock, ready to tumble down; Lapithae, Ixion and Pirithous are 
under it. A lofty genial couch, supported by golden pillars, under 
which is spread a sumptuous banquet, is within their reach ; the, 
chief of the Furies sits by them, and debars them from touching 
the food, by lifting her torch, on high. In front, sitting on the 
stage, is Theseus, with a large stone suspended over his head. 

Proserpine. What is the offence of Theseus ? 

Ate. Please your majesty, he sold his country for gold, and 
imposed on it a domineering tyrant ; made and unmade laws for 
money. 

Proserpine. A most henious offence ; let the punishment be 
continued. 

Ate. Your majesty shall bo obeyed. 

Proserpine. Does Tityus still live, he whoso immortal liver 
and bowels serve as food to the vulture, constantly prowling 
over him ? 

^ Ale. Your majesty, there is no respite given to him ; his 
fibres still spring up afresh to serve for the banquet. 

Proserpine. Tis well. Is the servant of Venus close at hand ? 

Ate. She is, your majesty. She was brought to the cave by 
Mercury, and is now crossing the river in the leaky boat of 
Charon. 

Proserpine. Then she will soon be here ; and may the gods 
return her in safety. 

Ate. Your majesty, the maiden is at hand. (Psyche enters, 
putting a sop in the mouth of the dog as she passes, then goes and sits 
at the foot of the throne.) 

Proserpine. Psyche, will you bo seated at the table, and served 
with the delicious banquet before you? 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 21 

Psyclie. I am content, your majesty, to beat the foot of your 
throne, but pray a piece of common bread may be given to me. 
{Ate hands her bread.) 

Proserpine. Do you bear a message from Venus ? 

Psyche. I do, your majesty. Venus requests you to send her 
a small portion of your beauty, at least as much as may be suf- 
ficient for one clay. I have brought the box to carry it in. Pray 
receive it and let me depart to the light of day unci; more. 
{Proserpine receives tlie hox, opens it and looks in, then closes and 
returns it to Psyche.) 

Proserpine. You may now depart, Psyche, by the way you 
came. Remember to pacify the dog as yon go out. {Psyche goes 
out, putting a sop in the dog's mouth as she passes.) Venus, with ail 
her beauty and jealousy, fears Psyche ; and well she may, as the 
wife of Cupid. Jupiter will protect her. No one has passed 
hence since Eurydice, the beloved wife of Orpheus, was set free 
and sent back to earth. Has Psyclie passed out the mouth of 
the cave? 

Ate. Yes, your majesty. 

Proserpine.- Let the signal be given to close the palace. {Ate 
strikes a gong, when a bhiek curtain is lowered, with paintings in red 
of Pluto in the centre ; at the side, Charon in his boat: Proserpine 
carried away by Pluto. The Furies, the Fates, the Harpies, and Door 
of Hell. Cerberus is in front of the curtain, guarding a door ; by his 
side a flash comes from the inside; above the door is written, "Tlie 
Palace of Pluto." Infernal music until the scene changes. 

Scene 3. — The Cavern of Tenarus. 

{Enter Psyche from the mouth, with the box in her hand. Xhe sits on 
a rock.) 

Psyche. Bless the gods! I again adore the fair light of day. 
Behold, {examining the box) what a foolish bearer ami of divine 
beauty, who do not take the least portion of it, that I may by 
this means appear pleasing in the eyes of my beautiful lover. 
{Opens the box, when a cloud arises ; she falls over as if suffocated, 
when Cupid appears.) 

Cupid. {Brushing off the cloud of sleep, shutting up the box, and 
touching Psyche with one of his arrows.) Behold! unhappy girl, 
again you have all but perished a victim to curiosity/ Now, 
however, strenuously perform the task imposed upon you by 
my mother, and I myself will take care of the rest, {flat.) 

Psyche. It was a gentle spirit raised me from the infernal 
Stygian sleep cast upon me by curiosity. Let me be gone in 
haste, and carry the present of Proserpine to Venus, the rightful 
owner. {Exit.) 



£2 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

ACT V. 

Scene 1. — Mount Olympus. 

The curtain rises, showing a scene of the Temple of Jupiter at Ohjmpia. 
Jupiter and Cupid in front; Mercury at hand in his usual 
position, ready to move. 

Cupid. Almighty Jove, to thee I now address myself. I come 
before thee with humbled mien, to crave a boon that is in thy 
power to give. Psyche, from whom I have been long separated, 
is my wife. Venus, my mother, is in deadly enmity with her ; 
therefore, I pray that great Jupiter will have us joined in one 
love, and give us his kingly protection. 

Jupiter. (Kissing Cupid.) Though you, my masterful son, 
never pay me that reverence which has been decreed me by the 
synod of the gods, but perpetually wound this breast of mine, 
by which the laws of the elements and the revolutions of the 
stars are governed, and frequently defile it with earthly in- 
trigues, contrary to the laws, the Julian edict and public 
discipline, injuring my reputation and fame by base adulteries, 
and sordidly changing my serene countenance into, serpents, 
lire, wild beasts, birds, and cattle ; nevertheless, remembering 
my own moderation, and that you have been nursed in these 
hands of mine, I will accomplish all that you desire. At the 
same time, you must be sensible, that you ought to guard 
against rivals, and to recompense me for this service, by pre- 
senting me with any girl of transcendent beauty that may now 
happen to be upon the earth. Go, Mercury, bring Psyche at 
once to Heaven, and summon an assembly of all the gods, and 
at the same time proclaim that if any one of the Celestials 
absented himself, he should be fined ten thousand pieces of 
money. (Mercury goes out.) My son, we will now sit with the 
gods ; you will meet your mother Venus, and I will see that you 
are fast tied to Psyche. Your marriage must be made legiti- 
mate. Go we now to the assembly. (They go in the Temple.) 
(Music within, Apollo touching the- strings of his lyre, while Muses 
accompany him with their voices and instruments. During the per- 
formance the curtain is drawn up, showing the inside of the Temple, 
and exhibiting a GRAND TABLEAU (Photograph.) — 
Jupiter is sitting upon his throne ; on his left arm leans the sceptre ; 
in his right hand he holds the goblet, filled with nectar; at his feet 
stands his Eagle, looking up to him. Ganymede and Hebe in the fore- 
ground to the right, performing the office of cup-bearer. A little behind 
Jupiter, on his right, sits Juno ; near her feet is the peacoclc. Venus 
stands on the left of Jupiter, Iter brow encircled by a wide gold band, 
and her hair falling gracefully over her shoulders ; around her waist 
is a belt filled with natural roses ; at her side stands Cupid. Beyond 
is Mercury introducing Psyche to Olympus. Neptune, seated with his 



CUPID AND PSYCHE. 23 

trident on a bank of cloud*, conversing with Pluto. In front of Neptune 
sits Vid can, with the lion stretched at his side. Jlchiud Juno stands 
Mars, in full armor. Next to Mars is Hercules, his head covered with, 
a lion's skin. On the left, behind Jupiter, is Minerva. Close by her is 
Apollo, with die Muses at his side. Behind is Diana, with the crescent 
on her head. Two genii strew flowers on Psyche's head. Tin' tableau 
is kept up until the music ceases, when Jupiter thus addresses the (jods:) 

Jupiter. Ye conscript gods, whose names are registered in the 
white roll of the Muses, you are all well acquainted with that 
youth, whom I have reared with my own hands, and the impet- 
uous tire of whose juvenile years I deem it necessary to restrain 
by some bridle or other. It is sufficient that he is every day 
defamed in conversation for the adulteries and all manner of 
corruption of which he is the cause. Every occasion of this 
must be taken away, and his youthful libertinism must bo 
bound in nuptial fetters. He has made choice of a girl, and 
deprived her of her virginity. Let him therefore hold her ; let 
him possess her, and embracing Psyche, always enjoy the object 
of his love. (To Venus.) Nor do you, my daughter, be sorrowful 
on this occasion, nor fearful that your pedigree and rank will 
be disgraced by a mortal marriage ; for I will now cause the 
nuptials not to be unequal, but legitimate and agreeable to the 
civil law. (Rands Psyche a cup of ambrosia.) Take this, Psyche, 
and be immortal ; nor shall Cupid ever depart from your em- 
brace, but these nuptials of yours shall be perpetual. (Gany- 
mede hands him a cup of nectar.) This do I drink in commemora- 
tion of this happy event. 

Venus. {Embracing Psyche.) 

" Psyche ! thou hardly hast my favor won : 
Yet hence thy charms immortal deified 
With the young joys thy future offspring fair, 
Shall bloom for ever at thy lover's side ; 
All-ruling Jove's high mandates I declare, 
Blest denizen of heaven! arise its joys to share." 

(Apollo and the Muses commence playing and singing ; the Hours enter 
and strew flowers about ; the Graces also enter and scatter balsam; 
Venus and Psyche retire a little in the rear, and are joined by Cupid.) 

Jupiter (when the music ceases). One more cup of nectar, Gany- 
mede. (Ganymede brings a cup.) Bacchus will supply the rest. 
Vulcan, dress well the supper. Mercury, summon Bacchus. The 
nectar must flow freely to-night. Bid Satyrus play on the flute, 
and PersicuB on the pipe. (Mercury goes to the side, raises his 
wand, when Bacchus and the Satyrs come in.) Mercury, prepare 
now, and let the dance begin. (Mercury arranges the stage by 
placing the Hours, Muses and Graces on one side, the gods and goddesses 
on the other ; Jupiter seated in front ; the rest standing in their proper 



24 CUPID AND PSYCHE. 

order. On the completion of the arrangement, Mercury raises his 
wand, when the trumpet sounds, and the Phrygian Dance begins.) 

At the conclusion of the dance the trumpet sounds, when the dancers 
go off in pairs. 

THE CURTAIN FALLS. 



THE PHRYGIAN DANCE. 



The Phrygian dance is divided into four parts, and the one 
here introduced is the last, and called the Tetracomos. There 
seems to he no regular order for the figures, and for simplicity 
and ease in learning, I have arranged them as follows : 

1st. The trumpet sounds to he ready, and when the music 
for the dance begins, the two leaders, male and female, dance to 
the front of the stage, followed hy eight couples ; then eight 
more dance out, and then the remaining eight, making a front 
of six, hy eight deep, all in close order. Turn and dance to the 
rear, then hack to the front. 

2d. The dance will he in open order, as wide as t&e stage Avill 
admit ; dancing to the rear, turn, and then to the front. 

3d. In open order, to the rear and then to the front, turning 
and keeping in line. 

4th. Dance into line on the right of the stage ; when formed, 
cease dancing, the male dancers holding up their right hands, 
the females their left. The leaders then pass in review before 
them, dancing to appropriate martial music. 

5th. In breaking up the line, various figures, such as the 
wedge, triangle, circles, stars, squares, and any others to suit 
the fancy of the leaders, are formed ; after which, a line is 
formed in close order in the centre of the stage, moving into 
open order, the males and females in separate lines. When the 
trumpet sounds, and the leaders dance off the stage, followed 
by the dancers, commencing at the front of the stage, who pair 
off as they go out. 

The proper movement for the dance is slow and majestic ; but 
the polka step would probably be more appropriate in the 
arrangement of the figures, and would better suit the present 
taste of our people. 



JU, 



M 



